4th July 2026: Mrs South Africa introduced the country to its 2026 Top 30 Finalists at a glittering Semi-Final Showcase, at the Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace on Friday 3 July 2026, marking one of the most anticipated events on the Mrs South Africa calendar.
The Semi-finals Week, hosted by Hotel Sky Sandton, kicked off on Wednesday 1st of July with impactful empowerment workshop sessions. Judging Day followed with swimwear judging and closed interview rounds allowed judges to assess contestants across key Mrs South Africa pillars, including leadership, purpose, community impact, personal growth, communication skills, and their potential to serve as authentic ambassadors for the brand.
The Swimwear Judging segment celebrates confidence, self-belief, and the commitment contestants have made to their overall health and wellbeing throughout their Mrs South Africa journey. It provides an empowering opportunity for women to step outside their comfort zones, embrace their individuality, and showcase the poise and self-assurance that define modern female leadership. Contestants returned the next day for rehearsals before stepping under the lights for Friday’s Semi-finals Showcase.
Under the visionary leadership of CEO Joani Jacobs, Mrs South Africa – powered by iME – has evolved from a pageant for married women into a female empowerment, skills development, and professional mentorship programme on-par with the best in the world. Today, it is known affectionately as an ‘MBA of life’ that hundreds of women flock to every year to discover and grow into who they want to be.
Jacobs says, “Every entrant arrives with a story worth telling. Our job is to amplify those stories and share their messages of courage, hope, and purpose, while equipping them to become leaders in their own spheres, to bring about change and inspire others.”
“This year’s batch of thirty were simply astonishing. We’ve seen them go from women already beaming with confidence but unsure how best to direct their strengths, into powerful leaders who can command a room and bring about change through sheer force of will. Each of the semi-finalists who had been with us from the beginning have the ability to impact their communities and help change the world forever. We look forward to seeing what else the journey of life holds for them”.
Friday night’s Semi-final Showcase, staged around a bold Vogue theme, was opened by masters of ceremonies Nicole Capper, the broadcaster and former Mrs South Africa, and Heart FM presenter Olwethu Nodada. Along with a performance by the dynamic Lloyd Cele, another former Mrs South Africa Erin-Jane Miller took to the stage to perform for the semi-finalists and their guests, a reminder of all that the programme and its mentors can help these women become. By the end of the night, with bated breath, the 2026 semi-finalists were narrowed down to the final Top 30 Finalists.
The 2026 Mrs South Africa finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
| Name | Age | City | Province |
| Adre Muller | 39 | Pretoria | Gauteng |
| Aleche Landman | 35 | Limpopo | |
| Andrea Raaths-Duarté | 27 | Pretoria | Gauteng |
| Angelique Janse van Rensburg | 42 | Centurion | Gauteng |
| Angie Calo | 46 | Umhlanga | Kwazulu- Natal |
| Aobakwe Sebokoane | 38 | Roodepoort | Gauteng |
| Carolize Delport | 35 | Bloemfontein | Free State |
| Chanelle Badenhorst | 37 | Cape Town | Western Cape |
| Charne Bell | 32 | Johannesburg | Gauteng |
| Dineo Ntsoane | 36 | Secunda | Mpumalanga |
| Flo Mabee | 48 | Pretoria | Gauteng |
| Florika Viljoen | 43 | Vanderbijlpark | Gauteng |
| Gavaza Mongwe | 35 | Midrand | Gauteng |
| Heleen Fourie | 31 | Mpumalanga | |
| Khanyisa Phika | 39 | Olivedale | Gauteng |
| Lauren-Marie Mkungela | 36 | Johannesburg | Gauteng |
| Lisinda Grobbelaar | 48 | Rustenburg | North west |
| Lomile Dithakong | 39 | Bloemfontein | Free State |
| Mariette Vorster | 37 | Langebaan | Western Cape |
| Meghan Cyster | 42 | Paarl | Western Cape |
| Melissa Scott | 37 | Polokwane | Limpopo |
| Nadia Pereira | 39 | Johannesburg | Gauteng |
| Ntsaky Maluleke | 35 | Midrand | Gauteng |
| Pertunia Nkomo | 35 | Shoshanguve | Gauteng |
| Shoma Govender | 41 | Edenvale | Gauteng |
| Sinempilo Ngubane | 40 | Everton | Kwazulu- Natal |
| Stephanie Harris | 41 | Sunningdale | Kwazulu- Natal |
| Tracey Elliott | 55 | Cape Town | Western Cape |
| Trudie Oosthuizen | 45 | Kempton Park | Gauteng |
| Tsakani Mangolele | 41 | Polokwane | Limpopo |
This past Saturday, the top thirty finalists attended a strategy workshop led by the Mrs South Africa leadership, mentorship teams, sponsors and industry coaches who addressed press interviews, personal branding, and public-speaking fundamentals, among others. Sunday brought cameras, lights, and a full creative crew for the first official photoshoot. Contestants will use these photos for their traditional and social media campaigns going forward.
Beyond self-development, philanthropy remains at the heart of the Mrs South Africa programme. From here, every finalist must host a fundraiser for one of the pageant’s official partner charities: 4Change Foundation; The Society for Animals in Distress (SAID) and Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) being the charities that Mrs South Africa supports. Last year’s finalist group raised over R 400,000, with the Class of 2026 already setting plans in motion to surpass that figure.
While the finalists prepare for the finals, the seasoned selection committee will continue monitoring their progress closely. Principal judge Matapa Maila brings two decades of supply-chain leadership to the table; Jacqueline Ferns, Mrs South Africa 2020, adds an entrepreneurial touch; tech innovator Nivi Grogor contributes digital-skills insight; physician and former Johannesburg mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse offers a public-service view. This year the panel proudly welcomes Tshego Gaelae, Mrs South Africa 2024 and Mrs World 2024 titleholder, to its ranks.
The Mrs South Africa 2026 pageant – powered by iME – is thriving thanks to the support of its dedicated backers: PR Worx, Chery Krugersdorp, Skin Renewal, Lamelle, Hirsch’s Home store, Brentoni Eyewear, Slimz, PKF Octagon, Hotel Sky Sandton, iStyle, Dotsure, Health food Emporium with Nutriseed, Style and Image, Kwetso Foundation with the School Support Programme, Brutal Fruit, Ace Models International, Hair Academy of South Africa, Alberton, Action Coach, Collagen Lift Paris, Uniq Brows, Busamed and Alvi Armani.
